Dine With Shamu Questions-UPDATED-I Got My Ressie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Snowy-girls]

Hi,
I would love some personal info about 'Dine With Shamu'.I have been on the Seaworld site+had a nosey,but i would prefer to hear personal comments good/bad on this.Was it worth the money,is the food nice,do you get wet,how long does it last,what was the photo like you received.I would also love to see your pics from this.
Do i book directly with Seaworld,or can you go thru other companies?.
If i book with Seaworld-do they take payment straight away,or is it a deposit?.How far in advance do they take bookings+if i request a poolside table,how likely am i to get this-or do they tell you on the phone there+then if one is available?
Please fill me in on all the info i need before i make a decision whether to book or not.
Thanks so much in advance-i look forward to hearing your replies.x.

 

[madmumof2]

I' love to know some of these answers too.

I did ring seaworld direct a few weeks ago to ask when I could book and they told me there is no limit and to ring July, August time (going in October) so 2-3 months in advance. They also told me if I rang then, I wouldn't have any problem getting a booking, most people book on the day or just before they leave apparently.

I'll be booking directly through seaworld, quicker and easier.

The number is 001 407 351 3600

 

[Old Swan]

Watcha,

We dined with Shamu last August. Great fun!

From memory full payment was made at booking. We booked months in advance as we had read that the earlier you book the better the table you get. We ended up slightly off centre front row - but all tables give a good view.

Food was decent quality buffet - with unlimited drinks The whales performed some jumps throughtout the duration of the meal but you dont get wet. Whilst eating the trainers deliver a talk about the whales and how they are trained, before mingling with the guests. You get the chance to take a photo with a trainer, the kids can get their autograph - nice touch. What impressed me was the enhusiasm the trainers had and how earnestly and happily they answered what must be the same bank of fairly repetitive questions from open mouthed tourists like us

We enjoyed it. Well recommended

Have photos but still working out how to post up Sure some others will be along soon..

 

[Beep]

We did this for my OH's birthday and I mentioned it at booking. I asked if there was any chance we could get a table next to the pool and we did get one, but we were really far over on the one side and didn't get too good a view.

I would ask them for a table as central as possible as you will get a better view. The tables are two to three-deep and you see most of what is happening when the whales are performing.

The food was fantastic for a buffet, really good and lots of selection. They had a cake ready for my OH and bought it out for him at the end, which I thought was great. I only mentioned his birthday and they did that for him. So sweet.

They also gave us the photo they took at the beginning as a souvenier.

This photo was taken with no zoom so it gives you an idea of how close the get:

And this one is looking central to the seating area and pool

Hope that helps x

The only downside for us was the trainers when they came round to the tables. They were totally disinterested in being there and it was obvious they saw it as a real pain to do. They talked down to everyone and seemed really bored. Everyone was really excited to talk to the people who did what they considered a dream job, but people were saying afterwards how disappointed they were with the trainers.

The other staff were brilliant and we really enjoyed ourselves.

I wouldn't do it again but I'm glad I did it once

 

[Pinklepurr361]

We did this last March (during the Easter hols). We booked 3 months in advance via the Seaworld website and paid in full at the time of booking. We just printed off our confirmation voucher and took that with us.

In our opinion it was well worth the money. We were lucky to get a poolside table in the centre of the restaurant so had an excellent view of the killer whale. The table was already pre assigned so once we had been seated our server got us some drinks and we were free to make as many trips to the buffet as we pleased. There was an excellent choice of food, including a good variety for kids.

The "show" was short but the trainers explained a lot about the whales and there were some great photo opportunities (I've got some pics but can't work out how to upload them - sorry).

The trainers come round to each table towards the end. In our case they were enthusiastic and patiently answered countless questions from our children. They also posed for photos and signed the lanyards we'd been given. The kids (aged 8 & 6) were so happy, they felt like they were meeting celebrities!

Afterwards, you can see the next Shamu show in a priority seating area (near the front). I didn't know that when booking and as we'd already been to see the show twice earlier in the day, we didn't bother for a third time.

Overall, I would say it is is expensive but worth every dollar for a unique experience. We'd do it again without a doubt.

 

[rpbert1]

We booked ours about 5 months approx,in advance, i called for another reason, about my AP, so i asked about the Dine with Shamu, she said she would book it for me although it was a bit early. You cannot request seats, seats are assigned when booking, so the earlier you book the better chance you have, we where actually the second person to book on our date, so where assigned table 2, they will tell you when you book wether you have a poolside table, thats if you ask them.
The food was excellent , and plenty of it, an experience i would do again.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Thank you so much for your replies,they are much appreciated.Also Alex your pics are fab After reading your replies last night we have decided to do this .I rang them,but they are not taking bookings for April yet,i have to ring back about the last week in Feb.They do take full payment when booking.Thanks again guy's .x.

 

[Snowy-girls]

WooooHoooooooooooooooo .
The(beginning of) April dates+hours went up about 15mins ago+i have just got my Dine With Shamu Ressie(these are going up to May)-hopefully poolside table as well as i am the first to ring in for my date of April 2nd .
Another suprise to add to the list for the girls---oh i am getting so excited now-not long to go as well .x.

p.s.thanks again everyone for your comments on this-much appreciated.x.

 

[orangetiggs]

we are going to take my sister to this, she is 13 and loves shamu and we didnt get to seaworld on our wedding trip so this is to make up for it. She wants to be a trainer so she will love this

 

[pktbMouse]

we dined with Shamu last year and Im sorry but I thought it was a waste of money..for a start the buffet was just not worth it and it was out where all the flies were getting on the food..the chocolate cake for dessert was melting in the heat and all there was to drink was ice tea or water. The trainers were just not interested in answering anything...if they couldnt quote anything out of a text book then they didnt answer you. As for the poor whales...they looked sooooo sad..they just floated there and didnt move..one of them had bad scars on him and when i asked where they came from I was told it was a male dominance thing what with them being in a small tank...to be honest we left feeling heart sorry for them. My 6yr old was dissapointed he couldnt get to the front of the crowd to see the whales.
That whole experience has kinda put us off the whole seaworld experience all together...especially when you get a look at the small cramped conditions the whales are kept in behind the scenes. Please dont roast us for having this opinion. Thanks

 

[rpbert1]

WooooHoooooooooooooooo .
The(beginning of) April dates+hours went up about 15mins ago+i have just got my Dine With Shamu Ressie(these are going up to May)-hopefully poolside table as well as i am the first to ring in for my date of April 2nd .
Another suprise to add to the list for the girls---oh i am getting so excited now-not long to go as well .x.

p.s.thanks again everyone for your comments on this-much appreciated.x.

When we went we where the second one to book, so got 2nd table, heres a view of Shamu

its a great view as you are directly across from where the trainers are, they tell you where to point your camera so you get a good shot of the whales jumping out of the water

 

[Snowy-girls]

we dined with Shamu last year and Im sorry but I thought it was a waste of money..for a start the buffet was just not worth it and it was out where all the flies were getting on the food..the chocolate cake for dessert was melting in the heat and all there was to drink was ice tea or water. The trainers were just not interested in answering anything...if they couldnt quote anything out of a text book then they didnt answer you. As for the poor whales...they looked sooooo sad..they just floated there and didnt move..one of them had bad scars on him and when i asked where they came from I was told it was a male dominance thing what with them being in a small tank...to be honest we left feeling heart sorry for them. My 6yr old was dissapointed he couldnt get to the front of the crowd to see the whales.
That whole experience has kinda put us off the whole seaworld experience all together...especially when you get a look at the small cramped conditions the whales are kept in behind the scenes. Please dont roast us for having this opinion. Thanks

Everyone is entitled to an opinion .
I must admit though if i thought for one minute that Seaworld did'nt do enough for all of their animals etc..-i would'nt step one foot inside Seaworld-let alone book this programme.
It was a while ago,that me+hubby done a behind the scenes tour+i was very happy with what i was shown,told etc....I personally did'nt think that the tanks were cramped,but that's just my opinion+left there feeling much happier to visit Seaworld on future trips.
There trainer interaction has stopped now-apparantly due to not enough time to get around to all the tables+what a shame your food was'nt great,hope our's will be better the cakes looks delicious on other forums i have been looking at.They do still serve Bud products at this programm.x.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Robert your picture is lovely .When you first arrive i was told on the phone yeasterday that they take you for your photo-what is the photo like?.Is it with one of the whales.Or is it just a backdrop of some kind?.Thanks.x.

 

[wickesy]

Congratulations Michelle. Hope you have a great time there.

 

[raph_b]

Congrats Michelle - the girls will love it.

You havent got room for one more have you?!

 

[Ware Bears]

Congratulations Michelle, my friend has done this and loved it. I hope you get your pool-side table.

 

[rpbert1]

Hi Michelle, it was 2 years ago we did Shamu, but there was no photos taken then. The concereige called that morning from our hotel to see what time we needed to be there, they said 4:15, when we arrived we just gave our name in and they showed us to our table, but I would get there for 4 o'clock.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Hi Michelle, it was 2 years ago we did Shamu, but there was no photos taken then. The concereige called that morning from our hotel to see what time we needed to be there, they said 4:15, when we arrived we just gave our name in and they showed us to our table, but I would get there for 4 o'clock.

Our ressie is for 6pm+i was told we must be at the booth for 5-45pm,we will be in the park from about 4ish anyway.Thanks again.x.

Craig-welcome anytime .x.

Thanks everyone-me+hubby are so looking forward to it-we have'nt told the girls yet,we will wait until we there as we have a few suprises lined up for them.x.

 

[rpbert1]

That will be a surprise, make sure you have the camera handy.
I always book a surprise for DD, The DWS was one, did not tell her till we walked in and gave our name in, look on her face was worth every penny spent on it. Last July was the Beluga encounter.
Still working on what to do this year, will take her Horse riding, but considered the shark deep dive at Seaworld, or even the Beluga again as she loved it.

 

[Snowy-girls]

That will be a surprise, make sure you have the camera handy.
I always book a surprise for DD, The DWS was one, did not tell her till we walked in and gave our name in, look on her face was worth every penny spent on it. Last July was the Beluga encounter.
Still working on what to do this year, will take her Horse riding, but considered the shark deep dive at Seaworld, or even the Beluga again as she loved it.

Great suprises you done as well.How old is your Dd(if you don't mind me asking).I love the Beluga's.
My girls are 4+7yrs.The BIG suprise we have is for Dd7's 8th birthday whilst we are there.I have booked breakfast inside Cinderella's castle+have told them it's her birthday .Have other character meals lined up as well.x.